[Medical students' attitude towards electroconvulsive therapy: Impact of patient-oriented training]

As a particular aspect of psychiatric clinical training many students instinctively harbor reservations towards the field of electroconvulsive treatment (ECT). In this context the question arises how controversial issues, such as ECT can be addressed during the placement. The clinical training is predestined to provide basic knowledge concerning ECT for future doctors. As multipliers and potential referrers they then can work to prevent severe mental illness from becoming chronic.

Prior to the clinical psychiatric teaching course 158 medical students of the RWTH Aachen University were randomly assigned to three groups. The first actively took part in an ECT therapy session (ECT group), the second was shown an educational video (video group) and the third served as a control group. A questionnaire was filled in before and after the training concerning the knowledge and the attitudes towards ECT.

In the course of the clinical training the attitudes of the students towards ECT became more positive for all items. The willingness to agree to ECT in the case of patients, family members and friends and themselves increased in the ECT group and the video group but not in the control group. Only the ECT group proved to be superior to the control group in the direct comparisons. In both interventions the knowledge about ECT increased more in comparison to the control group despite the very limited interventions.

Reservations to touch on the controversial issue of ECT during the clinical training do not seem to be justified. Even a single hands-on or video experience can have a relevant impact on knowledge and attitude towards ECT in medical students. This opportunity should be used more intensively.